Letter

Big business is not the enemy

There are pros and cons to everything but much of it hinges on what we like or dislike. If you like a big brand new school then it’s “good healthy development” whereas it’s “harmful impact” if you dislike a small Dollar General store. I was told by someone that this nation doesn’t like business, which has a lot of truth to it. Just look around and witness the outcry when a company tries moving in with a few thousand square foot building, like Home Depot in Rindge. Zoning boards make a Ringling Barnum and Bailey circus out of the store reps, requiring them to jump through a maze of acrobatic hoops. At the same time we love the benefits from business such as increased property tax base, local jobs, lower unemployment, local construction work, convenience, competition and in our town, something to help fill the void of a lost hardware store. Recently the voters threw out the impact fee, which was based on giving a shot in the arm for small development (For this I give my heartfelt thanks to the planning board and supporters).

It would seem that local levels could do better than the federal fiascoes. I’m speaking about the unified hope for cheaper fuel prices that is superseded by the anti-business mentality which halts further drilling in Alaska and blocks both the Canadian pipeline and building more refineries. In light of our fragile economy and need for growth it’s time we face the fact that everything can’t wear the same pristine beauty as the Florida Everglades.

If you despise the sale of Central School for a new business then enjoy your boycotting. But not all of us view business as the black plaque.

You got your new schools, now complete the commitment by selling the brick dinosaur.